Asean morning news for June 3

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

COVID-19 in Asean: update for June 2 — active cases fall globally for first time, Lao PDR marks 50 days without new case
As of 00:31 GMT June 2 there was 45,686 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 205, or 0.45 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today

Undersea cable faults cause internet chaos in Vietnam, Cambodia & Lao PDR
Vietnam’s high level of digital penetration has been a saving grace during the COVID-19 lockdown, enabling home-based work, e-learning, and e-Commerce to thrive.
— AEC News Today

Asean manufacturing downturn continues during May
Operating conditions deteriorated for a third successive month, amid further rapid contractions in both output and new orders, according to latest IHS Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).
— The Edge Markets

ASEAN states should follow Indonesia, invoke Hague ruling vs China – Carpio
Retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio urged Southeast Asian nations to invoke the 2016 Hague ruling against China’s claims in the South China Sea, as he lauded Indonesia’s recent move to do so.
— Rappler

Call for Australia to join Asia in coordinated approach to recovering from coronavirus
A group of prominent economists, politicians and leaders, including a senior Australian public servant, are calling on the Federal Government to formally work with Asia to bring the global economy back from the “savage impact” of COVID-19.
— ABC News

ASEAN solidarity and response in the face of COVID-19
Two things are clear as we approach mid-year; that COVID-19 has irreversibly transformed the world and that, consequently, there is a long road ahead to recovery.
— The Jakarta Post

Why Indonesia won’t let Beijing forget the Philippines’ South China Sea arbitration win
Indonesia’s low-key diplomatic protest at the United Nations against China’s disputed claims in the South China Sea last week made some analysts sit up and take notice, with one even describing the move as groundbreaking.
— South China Morning Post

Southeast Asia faces backlash for migrant clampdown
Authorities’ often heavy-handed treatment of migrants and refugees across much of Southeast Asia harms not only these disadvantaged foreigners but poses a health threat to local people as well.
— UCA News

Ministers from ASEAN and China Commit to Fighting COVID-19 Impacts on Trade, Economy
Economic Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China’s Minister of Commerce have issued a joint statement on combating COVID-19.
— IISD

The Politics of Pandemic in Southeast Asia
COVID-19 hit Southeast Asia earlier than most regions of the world, and today the region has over 90,000 cases, with more than 2,700 confirmed deaths. The low levels of testing in all states, bar Singapore, however, should give rise to skepticism.
— The Diplomat

Vietnam leads ASEAN through COVID-19
COVID-19 is posing serious challenges to ASEAN in 2020. But Vietnam, as ASEAN chair, is trying to make the best of the situation and demonstrate leadership.
— East Asia Forum

Regional ‘travel bubbles’ likely in time, says Lawrence Wong
Discussions on special lanes to restart travel within Asean or even a broader bloc within Asia should take place in time to come, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said yesterday.
— The Straits Times

Thailand Extends Visas for Migrant Workers until July 31
The Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved visa extensions until July 31 for about 1 million migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to ease potential labor shortages as the country’s economy reopens.
— Benar News

Bridging the existing data literacy gap in Southeast Asia
Digitalise or die. That was true before the COVID-19 pandemic and it is even more true today.
— HRM Asia

Eminent Scholars discuss India-ASEAN Engagements through Video Conference
“We look at India as a very good, close friend. We should continue to work to reenergise the bilateral relationship and need to focus on strengthening people-to-people contact”, said H.E. Dato Nazirah Hussain, who formerly served as Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand and as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
— Modern Diplomacy

China tech firms look to Southeast Asia as US rivalry intensifies
Southeast Asia is proving a natural ground for expansion by some of China’s biggest tech companies, but they’ll be locking horns with US counterparts who have a more established presence in the region.
— Tech Wire Asia

Most SE Asia stocks extend rally to scale multi-month highs
Most Southeast Asian markets extended multi-day rallies on Tuesday, as re-opening of regional economies overshadowed global concerns ranging from flaring Sino-US tensions to violent protests in American cities.
— Bangkok Post

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

More than 130,000 Cambodians Affected as 256 Factories Suspend Operations
As of June 2, some 256 factories have suspended their operations across Cambodia, with more than 130,000 workers affected by the Labor Ministry’s estimates. Similarly the tourism sector has seen 169 enterprises suspended, affecting 16,896 workers, according to Prime Minister Hun Sen.
— Cambodianess

One Month of Traffic Law Reinforcement Yields Positive Outcome
The road traffic situation in Cambodia in May 2020 is better that that of May 2019, underlined the National Road Safety Committee (NRSC) in a press release on the outcome of traffic law reinforcement issued yesterday.
— AKP

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

Indonesia announces cancellation of Hajj pilgrimage 2020 amid COVID-19
The Indonesian government announced its decision to not send Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Antara News

Indonesia records 20-year low inflation around Idul Fitri as pandemic upends purchasing power
Indonesia booked record low inflation in May leading up to Idul Fitri as the COVID-19 outbreak upended demand and reined in consumer spending, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced Tuesday.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesian schools might not reopen until December despite potential easing of COVID-19 restrictions
The Indonesian government said schools might not reopen until December, even as parts of the country prepare for life after large-scale social restrictions later this week.
— CNA

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Lao students return to schools as govt further eases Covid-19 restrictions
Most Lao students returned to schools on Tuesday (June 2) as the Lao government further eased its precautionary Covid-19 restrictions.
— The Star

Belt and Road construction forges ahead despite COVID-19 challenges
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted life and production all around the world, the construction of the Belt and Road projects continues with protective measures in Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia.
— Xinhua

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia hands 5G spectrum to little-known firm controlled by politically linked tycoon
Malaysia has quietly awarded the highly sought-after 5G telecommunications spectrum to several players, including the little-known Altel, a firm controlled by the reclusive but politically connected tycoon Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary, seemingly without an open tender previously promised.
— The Straits Times

The TEN BILLION Dollar Boys! – SENSATIONAL NEW KUWAIT EXCLUSIVE
Documents relating to an investigation by Kuwaiti anti-money laundering officials into billions missing from Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) and pipeline projects have been made available to Sarawak Report.
— Sarawak Report

Immigration detention centres become Malaysia coronavirus hotspot
Health ministry says detention centres ‘high risk’ areas after spike in cases following series of raids during lockdown.
— Aljazeera

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Myanmar announces extension of temporary entry restrictions
Myanmar’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced an extension of temporary entry restrictions for travellers from all countries until June 15, as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, Xinhua reported.
— Mizzima

The Building That Exploited Myanmar’s Oil Wealth
It was Burmah Oil Company (BOC) that monopolized Myanmar (then Burma)’s oil industry in the colonial period. Based on the corner of Merchant Street and 32nd Street in Yangon (then Rangoon), the building today houses the National Library of Myanmar.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar fruit exports to China now permitted through Lwejel, Kampaiti checkpoints
According to the Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar can now export fruits to China through Lwejel and Kampaiti border checkpoints besides Muse. Earlier, watermelon, muskmelon, mango and plum were allowed to export to China only through the Muse border. Now, Kampaiti and Lwejel are available for fruit exports.
— Fresh Plaza

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

No decision yet on inbound travel restrictions on foreigners -Palace
Though COVID-19 confinement measures were eased this week, the government had yet to decide on whether to lift inbound travel restrictions on foreigners.
— GMA Network

More health workers to resign if gov’t fails to address their concerns – group
More nurses and doctors might resign out of fear of acquiring the novel coronavirus disease if the government would continue to ignore health workers’ concerns, a group warned Tuesday.
— Inquirer.net

Philippines’ Duterte U-turns on scrapping of US troop deal
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has suspended his decision to scrap a two-decade-old troop deployment agreement with the United States due to political and other developments in the region, his foreign minister said on Tuesday (Jun 2),
— CNA

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

COVID-19 laws in force indefinitely after amendments which include new details for post-circuit breaker
Amendments to the COVID-19 regulations, which were published in the Government Gazette just before they expired on Jun 2, mean the laws are now in force indefinitely and not just during the circuit breaker period.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

544 new coronavirus cases, including 4 community cases
Three community cases are work pass holders, the fourth is a Singaporean or permanent resident.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Non-resident deposits in Singapore jump 44% to record S$62b in April
SINGAPORE saw a record jump in deposits in April as investors rushed to park funds here given its status as a safe haven amidst global market volatility, said analysts.
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Thailand returns to roots as food exports soar
Thailand is returning to its economic roots as a food producer, with overseas demand for rice, seafood, fruit and other edibles bolstering exports even as the Covid-19 pandemic dents production and shipments of manufactured goods.
— Bangkok Post

Gov’t May Lift All Pandemic Travel Restrictions This Weekend
Travel restrictions might be completely lifted this weekend as the country’s coronavirus caseload continues to wane, a senior official said Tuesday.
— Khaosod English

Phuket airport to reopen to domestic flights on June 15
Domestic flights to and from this southern island province will resume on June 15, the provincial communicable disease committee announced on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam’s new enterprises decrease 10.5 pct year-on-year in 5 months
A total of 48,300 enterprises with a total registered capital of 557.9 trillion Vietnamese dong (nearly 24.3 billion U.S. dollars) were set up in Vietnam in the first five months of this year, down 10.5 percent in quantity and 16.7 percent in capital from the same period last year.
— China.org

Vietnam turns down Chinese metro rail contractor demand for advance payment
Vietnam has refused to pay the Chinese company building its first metro route the $50 million it wants in advance to test run trains.
— VnExpress

Undersea cable faults cause internet chaos in Vietnam, Cambodia & Lao PDR
Vietnam’s high level of digital penetration has been a saving grace during the COVID-19 lockdown, enabling home-based work, e-learning, and e-Commerce to thrive.
— AEC News Today

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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